Published: Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 7:32 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 7:32 a.m.

PACE is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, an innovative program for low-income seniors who prefer not to move into a nursing home, but whose health problems make it impossible for them to stay at home without the help of caregivers.

"On any given day, CarePartners Health Services is caring for more than 2,500 patients throughout Western North Carolina with our staff of 1,100 employees and 450 volunteers," said CarePartners President and CEO Tracy Buchanan.

"In each of our services, we are working to help people live fully through life's journey. PACE is our newest endeavor in fulfilling this commitment," Buchanan said.

With the new PACE facility at 286 Overlook Road, older adults in Henderson and Buncombe counties can maintain their independence, dignity and quality of life.

PACE provides all medical care, an adult day care center, home care services and transportation so they can remain in their homes.

PACE will bring about 50 jobs to the area and serve about 150 patients at the facility.

The CarePartners PACE program recently was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Duke Endowment to support this program for the elderly in Henderson and Buncombe counties.

There can be only one PACE facility serving a designated geographic area, and the state has designated Henderson and Buncombe counties to CarePartners.

PACE is funded by the state through Medicaid and by the federal government through Medicare. With billions in cuts looming to both programs, some see PACE as the new health care model.

"PACE is an alternative for our seniors who want to stay in the community rather than being placed in a skilled nursing facility. There are 90 organizations in the country that sponsor PACE programs, serving 29 states," said Tim Clontz, board chairman of the North Carolina PACE Association.

With nursing home costs averaging nearly $90,000 per year for each patient, the number of PACE programs — at $60,000 per year — has doubled in the past five years.

<p>ASHEVILLE — CarePartners Health Services broke ground for its planned 17,828-square-foot PACE facility in Asheville on Tuesday. </p><p>PACE is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, an innovative program for low-income seniors who prefer not to move into a nursing home, but whose health problems make it impossible for them to stay at home without the help of caregivers. </p><p>"On any given day, CarePartners Health Services is caring for more than 2,500 patients throughout Western North Carolina with our staff of 1,100 employees and 450 volunteers," said CarePartners President and CEO Tracy Buchanan. </p><p>"In each of our services, we are working to help people live fully through life's journey. PACE is our newest endeavor in fulfilling this commitment," Buchanan said.</p><p>With the new PACE facility at 286 Overlook Road, older adults in Henderson and Buncombe counties can maintain their independence, dignity and quality of life. </p><p>PACE provides all medical care, an adult day care center, home care services and transportation so they can remain in their homes.</p><p>PACE will bring about 50 jobs to the area and serve about 150 patients at the facility.</p><p>The CarePartners PACE program recently was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Duke Endowment to support this program for the elderly in Henderson and Buncombe counties. </p><p>There can be only one PACE facility serving a designated geographic area, and the state has designated Henderson and Buncombe counties to CarePartners. </p><p>PACE is funded by the state through Medicaid and by the federal government through Medicare. With billions in cuts looming to both programs, some see PACE as the new health care model. </p><p>"PACE is an alternative for our seniors who want to stay in the community rather than being placed in a skilled nursing facility. There are 90 organizations in the country that sponsor PACE programs, serving 29 states," said Tim Clontz, board chairman of the North Carolina PACE Association.</p><p>With nursing home costs averaging nearly $90,000 per year for each patient, the number of PACE programs — at $60,000 per year — has doubled in the past five years.</p>